Simon Rogerson
As a teenager I was fascinated by IT. This led to a computer industry career before moving into academia. Sharing my industrial experience with students caused me to question why so many computer systems failed, which led to my interest in the surrounding social and ethical issues of the technology. In 1995, I founded the Centre for Computing & Social Responsibility, the catalyst for a multi-cultural and multi-generational community which continues to question unethical digital technology.
Biography
I became Europe’s first Professor in Computer Ethics in 1998 and in 2010 became lifetime Professor Emeritus in Computer Ethics at De Montfort University, UK. I was the founding Director of the Centre for Computing and Social Responsibility (CCSR), launching it in 1995 at the first ETHICOMP conference which I conceived and co-directed until 2013. I was the founder and editor until December 2021 of the Journal of Information, Communication and Ethics in Society. I sit on several international ICT-related advisory boards and have served on governing bodies in education and ICT.My most important research focuses on providing rigorously grounded practical tools and guidance to computing practitioners. For my leadership and research achievements in the computer and information ethics interdisciplinary field I was awarded the fifth IFIP-WG9.2 Namur Award in 2000 and the ACM SIGCAS Making a Difference Award in 2005.
My early career was in industry as a technical software developer. The industrial links have remained through my pioneering work with the professional bodies of IMIS, BCS and ACM. My industrial computing background coupled with my creative ideas, organisational skills and human relations skills have enabled me to bridge the gap between practice, policy and research, thus creating one of the most vibrant communities wedded to making digital technology valuable to everyone.
Education
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BSc Computational Science, University of Dundee, 1972
Areas of Research / Professional Expertise
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Information Systems
Computer/Information/Digital Ethics
Digital Divide
Professional Codes of Ethics
Project Management
Personal Interests
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Writing Poetry
Hill Walking
The Arts
Ukulele playing
Websites
Books
Articles
Grey digital outcasts and COVID-19
Published: Apr 04, 2022 by First Monday
Authors: Simon Rogerson
Subjects:
Web, Emergency Response, Computer Science & Engineering, Information Technology
This paper investigates the relationship between the COVID-19 pandemic and digital technology with specific focus on the elderly who are the most vulnerable group in this global health emergency. Actions and inactions relating to grey digital outcasts are analysed through a snapshot study of ten countries. The paper provides guiding principles which lay the foundation for a global response to address the support of grey digital outcasts particularly in times of crisis.
The Genesis of the Centre for Computing & Social Responsibility (CCSR)
Published: Feb 01, 2021 by 25 years of the CCSR, De Montfort University
Authors: Simon Rogerson
Subjects:
Computer Science & Engineering, Information Technology
This paper tracks the events leading up to the launch of the Centre for Computing and Social Responsibility in 1995. A new typology is designed for analysing higher education departments. This is used to map some of the key events and activities as CCSR matured into a research centre of international standing. This analysis is primarily focused on the period up to 2010. The paper concludes with contextualising current and future CCSR activity against this historical analysis.
Rebooting ethics education in the digital age
Published: Jan 01, 2021 by Academia Letters
Authors: Simon Rogerson
Subjects:
Computer Science & Engineering, Information Technology
In the digital age it is people who change things. It is people who make digital technology. It is people who use and abuse digital technology. Digital technology can add value to life, but it can also take value away from life. Some ethical hotspots may be obvious whilst others may not. All must be addressed so that the digital age is good for everyone as well as for the world at large. This can only be achieved through effective digital ethics education and awareness programmes for everyone.
Poetical potentials: the value of poems in social impact education
Published: Feb 03, 2020 by ACM Inroads
Authors: Simon Rogerson
Subjects:
Computer Science & Engineering, Information Technology
For the technologist it is easy to remain in safe technological enclaves with a bespoke language, a community of like minds and a familiar knowledge base. However, progress requires pushing the boundaries, thinking beyond the traditional and the ordinary, and questioning accepted norms. It requires opening of minds. Poetry can offer the key to unlock the closed mind. This potential is explored through a variety of poems dealing, in a novel manner, with the social impact of technology.
Ethics omission increases gases emission: A look in the rearview mirror at Volkswagen software engineering
Published: Mar 01, 2018 by Communications of the ACM
Authors: Simon Rogerson
Subjects:
Computer Science & Engineering, Information Technology
This paper explores the role of software engineers in the Volkswagen emissions scandal. The Software Engineering Code of Ethics and Professional Practice is used to analyse the probable conduct of those involved in the creation of the so-called defeat software. The paper concludes with suggestions as to what could be done to reduce the risk of reoccurring unethical practice in the future.
Coding ethics into technology
Published: Jul 03, 2017 by Hack & Craft News
Authors: Simon Rogerson, additional reporting by Chris Middleton
Subjects:
Computer Science & Engineering, Information Technology
An explanation as to why ethical considerations are vital at the design stage as society becomes more and more reliant on technology.
Future Vision
Published: Aug 10, 2015 by Journal of Information, Communication and Ethics in Society
Authors: Simon Rogerson
Subjects:
Computer Science & Engineering, Information Technology
The purpose of this paper is to review the world of information and communications technology (ICT) from its early days to the near future. The aim is to consider how successfully academia, industry and government have worked together in delivering ethically acceptable ICT which is accessible to those who might benefit from such advances. The paper concludes with suggestions of a fresh approach for the future.
Is history repeating itself for digital beings?
Published: Jan 10, 2013 by Digital -self published
Authors: Simon Rogerson and Karsten Weber
Subjects:
Computer Science & Engineering, Information Technology
This essay considers the online world from the perspective of self. We argue that advancing technology has changed the way in which we should consider self. In some sense we can exist in the virtual world and as such we are digital beings. This idea is explored in detail using the Dasein concept. Accepting the existence of digital being leads to the identification of many conceptual muddles in the virtual world.
Ethical Assessment of New Technologies: A Meta-Methodology
Published: Mar 01, 2011 by Journal of Information, Communication & Ethics in Society
Authors: Ian Harris, Richard C. Jennings, David Pullinger, Simon Rogerson, Penny Duquenoy
Subjects:
Computer Science & Engineering, Information Technology
The purpose of this paper is to set out a structured meta‐methodology, named DIODE, for the ethical assessment of new and emerging technologies. DIODE has been designed by a mixture of academics, governmental people and commercial practitioners. It is designed to help diverse organisations and individuals conduct ethical assessments of new and emerging technologies.
A review of information ethics
Published: Aug 30, 2010 by Journal of Information and Management, Japan Society for Information and Management
Authors: Simon Rogerson
Subjects:
Computer Science & Engineering, Information Technology
This paper focuses on the ethical perspective of information and communication technologies known as information ethics. It discusses the foundation of information ethics focusing on the work of Norbert Wiener which is then followed by an overview of the key definitions of information ethics. This in turn leads to a discussion on the practical relevance of information ethics for the strategists, developers and implementers of ICT.
Photos
News
Acrostic take on Digital Ethics
By: Simon Rogerson
Subjects: Business & Management, Computer Science & Engineering, Information Technology, Web, Web2
The final keynote of ETHICOMP 2024 in Spain, which I presented, was about using the creative arts to explore digital ethics in a way that it would engage everyone. To illustrate this, the audience was invited to participate in the acrostic ETHICOMP experiment.
An AI Conundrum
By: Simon Rogerson
Subjects: Business & Management, Computer Science & Engineering, Information Technology, Public Administration & Public Policy, Web, Web2
Smart Living Ethics a quick tour!
By: Simon Rogerson
Subjects: Business & Management, Computer Science & Engineering, Information Technology, Web, Web2
Smart Living Ethics #smartspaces #smartcity #digitaldivide A quick look at the Smart Living Ethics exhibition launched 13 March 2024 at ETHICOMP 2024 in Spain.
25% discount on Ethical Digital Technology books
By: Simon Rogerson
Subjects: Business & Management, Computer Science & Engineering, Information Technology, Web, Web2
Linked to the launch of my Smart Living Exhibition on 13 March 2024 at ETHICOMP in Logroño, Spain, the publishers of my Ethical Digital Technology trilogy are offering a 25% discount on all three books. Just go to the Routledge website and use the promo code EDT25.
Smart Living Ethics
By: Simon Rogerson
Subjects: Business & Management, Computer Science & Engineering, Information Technology, Web, Web2
The Smart Living Ethics exhibition explores the reach of smart technology and its social and ethical impacts on individuals, communities and the world at large. This novel exhibition comprises four towers covering living environments, real world examples, ethical hotspots and good practice. Tower sides usually have three interrelated exhibits. The aim is to make the exhibition accessible to everyone by using a variety of presentations including, poems, pictures, quotations and diagrams.
It resonates with my Digital Ethical Technology trilogy.
Busy times recently analysing digital technology
By: Simon Rogerson
Subjects: Computer Science & Engineering, Information Technology, Web, Web2
At Lusíada University in Lisbon I staged an exhibition exploring digital technology using the creative arts from 28-30 November. This was part of Exploring Ethical Digital Technology and Artificial Intelligence Conference where I was the keynote speaker as well as presenting a second lecture on AI Ethical Hotspots.
My poetry about digital technology is getting noticed. Computers in 101000 syllables gained 3rd place in the Tetractys Poetry Contest (https://www.poetrysoup.com/poem/computers_in_101000_syllables_1597936)
Charles Babbage gained 2nd place in ABCD Clerihew - 4 Lines Poetry Contest (https://www.poetrysoup.com/poem/charles_babbage_1584915)
In the Winter Edition of ITNOW I have written a short article about practical digital ethics (Volume 65, Issue 4, Winter 2023, Pages 54–55). I explore recent ethical issues surrounding digital technology, illustrating the need to ensure everyone’s digital ethics awareness. The need for pragmatic ethics inclusion in digital technology roll out is paramount. This is very relevant to this edition of ITNOW as it focuses on AI and its wide application and impact.
Practical Digital Ethics
By: Simon Rogerson
Subjects: Computer Science & Engineering
In the Winter Edition of ITNOW I have written a short article about practical digital ethics (Volume 65, Issue 4, Winter 2023, Pages 54–55).
I explore recent ethical issues surrounding digital technology, illustrating the need to ensure everyone’s digital ethics awareness. The need for pragmatic ethics inclusion in digital technology roll out is paramount. This is very relevant to this edition of ITNOW as it focuses on AI and its wide application and impact.
Technology Ethics: The Ethical Digital Technology Trilogy
By: Simon Rogerson
Subjects: Computer Science & Engineering, Information Technology, Web2
The Trilogy
The Ethical Digital Technology Trilogy consists of three titles (Imagine! Ethical Digital Technology for Everyone, Ethical Digital Technology in Practice and The Evolving Landscape of Ethical Digital Technology) and is authored by Professor Simon Rogerson. It is a world first. It is the product of the author’s research stretching back to 1995. As such it is a ground-breaking synthesis drawing on a plethora of historical evidence while firmly focused on the future. It explores the landscape of digital technology from a social-impact perspective. The contrasting approaches in the three books allow access to this landscape by everyone; academics, practitioners and the public at large, regardless of age. The key message is that digital ethics should underpin and indeed drive the development and use of digital technology. The trilogy’s three interrelated perspectives provide a unique holistic view of how society is becoming increasingly dependent on digital technology and how this dependency must be managed to ensure societally positive rather than societally negative outcomes.
Ethical Digital Technology Trilogy
By: Simon Rogerson
Subjects: Business & Management, Computer Science & Engineering, Information Technology, Web
CEPIS (Council of European Professional Informatics Societies) endorses the world's first trilogy about Ethical Digital Technology. This was posted on LinkedIn on 27 September 2023.
If you're looking for
an interesting read on the subject of #ethics in #tech, The Ethical Digital Technology
Trilogy by Simon
Rogerson, Professor Emeritus in Computer Ethics at De
Montfort University is a definite go-to resource for an
in-depth analysis of this topic. The 3 books comprise historical
evidence and future-focused analysis, examining the impact of
digital technology in society. The central message advocates for
the integration of digital ethics in the development and
utilisation of digital technology. The books illustrate society's
growing dependence on digital technology and the need to manage
this dependency for positive societal outcomes.
#ethicaltechnology #itprofessionalism #digitalethics #digitalsociety #book
Digital Technology's 5 big ethical issues
By: Simon Rogerson
Subjects: Business & Management, Computer Game Development, Computer Science & Engineering, Information Technology, Web, Web2
Digital technology has given us the world we live in and continues to advance at a pace we can barely keep up with.
But for every benefit tech advances have offered us, they have carried with them just as many challenges.
With the rise of popular AI programmes, the future looks just as bright as it complex.
Here, Professor Rogerson looks at the five biggest issues and considerations we face in our modern digital world.
Videos
Published: Feb 16, 2023
This talk examines how technology has merged with humans and so in some sense humans have become more than their organic selves. The call is to rethink how we all should view and react to the online world.
Published: Jun 20, 2023
Data Shadow video illustrates what awaits you in Imagine! Ethical Digital Technology for Everyone, the third book in the World’s first Ethical Digital Technology trilogy. https://www.routledge.com/Imagine-Ethical-Digital-Technology-for-Everyone/Rogerson/p/book/9781032422176
Published: Dec 05, 2022
A chaired discussion by a panel of experts considers the impact of hacking across society. Both ill-intentioned hackers and ethical hackers are considered.
Published: Jun 17, 2020
We have to accept and adjust to the fact that we are all technologist to a lesser or greater degree. It is paramount, through formal and informal approaches, to imbue strategists, developers, operators and users with practical ICT ethics so that ethical computing has a chance of becoming the norm. There needs to be a paradigm shift in our thinking and application of ICT ethics education which will culminate in ethical computing by everyone for everyone.
Published: Mar 28, 1995
The ETHICOMP conference series is recognised as the world's leading inclusive forum for discussing the social and ethical impacts of ICT. It started in 1995. This is the opening address given by the co-founders Simon Rogerson and Terrry Bynum at the first conference. It was a time when the World Wide Web had just begun and marked a sea change in access to and participation in ICT.